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Friday, 14 February, 2003, 12:24 GMT
Inquiry calls over care home death
Cissy Townsend
Cissy died days after moving to a new home
An independent inquiry is being called for after an elderly woman died days after she had to leave her care home.

Cissy Townsend lived at Magdalene House in Gloucester for eight years, but after the charity which runs it put prices up the council refused to pay the �88 difference.

Mrs Townsend, 88, had suffered a severe stroke which meant she could not speak and was dependent on carers.

But against the advice of her doctor and the wishes of her family, the council moved her to a new home further away.

Dr Ian Jarvis
Dr Jarvis did not want Cissy to be moved

Now members of the Conservative opposition on Gloucestershire County Council are calling for an investigation into the move.

And Councillor Mark Hendry, responsible for adult care services on the council, says he wants to review not only the circumstances of Cissy's death but the whole issue of care homes in the county.

Mrs Townsend's GP Dr Ian Jarvis has criticised the decision to move the elderly woman, who had been his patient for nine years.

Dr Jarvis said: "It was evident she was going to be forced to move to an environment where she didn't know any of the carers.

"To make it worse her family were further away so they couldn't visit either - it was just an appalling time to move a lady of nearly 89 years old.

"I think Cissy was a special case because of her speech problems."


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